Playhouse Village Association

Vroman's Bookstore: Gerald Petievich discusses & signs 13 Hillcrest Drive
2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
From the acclaimed author of To Live and Die in L.A…
In the streets of Beverly Hills, secrets are the most valuable currency. Meredith Fox, a once-prominent Hollywood publicity agent, has clawed her way back from the brink of obscurity. Now, she’s poised for a comeback, leveraging the dark secrets of her celebrity clients to put herself back on top. But when a routine money drop goes wrong, Meredith finds herself caught in a deadly web of betrayal.
Detective Michael Casey, navigating the waters of Beverly Hills’ elite, is tasked with unraveling the mystery behind Meredith’s death. With every clue leading to more questions, Casey must confront his own demons while piecing together a puzzle that threatens to expose the darkest secrets of the Los Angeles elite.
13 Hillcrest Drive is a gripping thriller that peels back the layers of Hollywood’s glitz. In a city where image is everything, the truth can be the most dangerous revelation of all.

Vroman's Bookstore: TICKETED - Kate Baer reads from & signs How About Now: Poems
2025-11-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
The third full length poetry collection from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Kind of Woman.
Renowned poet Kate Baer returns with a bold and compassionate collection that confronts the march of time in a shifting world.
With her trademark candor and curiosity, Baer explores what it means to grow older, to release children into the wildness of their own lives, and to reclaim the ever evolving self. Raw, luminous, and urgent, this collection channels Baer’s own journey to middle age into poems that are profoundly intimate yet resound universally, identifying the beauty, resilience, and fragility that arrive in every stage of life.
How About Now is a striking declaration of ongoing transformation and self-discovery. From the poet who has captured the heartbeat of the modern woman, this collection reaffirms Kate Baer’s place among the most vital voices of our era.

Vroman's Bookstore: Harshini Vankineni reads from & signs What Color Is the Baby?: A Celebration of Skin Tones
2025-11-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
A debut author takes a familiar loaded question, steeped in colorism, and turns it into one child’s openhearted celebration of her new baby sister.
When Kundana meets her newborn sister, Kuku, she declares her the prettiest baby in the world. But as grandparents, aunts, and uncles welcome Kuku, all they want to know is what color she is. Is she a marigold like her sister? Or a white jasmine? As the family gazes at Kuku’s brown skin, big sister Kundana wonders why her family would care what color Kuku is–she’s beautiful! Inspired by first-time author Harshini Vankineni’s own experiences with colorism–the practice of treating people differently because of how dark or light their skin is– What Color Is the Baby? is a moving journey of a big sister finding a new and loving way to describe and defend her adored baby sister, while Neha Rawat’s warm illustrations delight with coziness and love of family.

Monopole Wine by RX: 3rd Annual Champagne Extravaganza
2025-11-15 14:00 - 18:00 | Monopole Wine By RX, 21 S. El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Bubbles & Bliss: A Champagne & Sparkling Wine Extravaganza
Monopole Wine by RX invites guests to an afternoon of effervescence and indulgence at Bubbles & Bliss, featuring over 25 bottles of Champagne and sparkling wines from around the world — each paired with elegant, indulgent small bites.
Attendees can explore five tasting stations showcasing Grower Champagnes, Classic Champagne Houses, Domestic Sparklers, Old World Crémants, and Global Favorites such as Cava, Franciacorta, and Pét-Nat.
Each pour is complemented by a decadent bite — from French Cheese & Charcuterie and Fried Chicken to Mini Croissants, Strawberries & Cream, Donuts, and more.
Guests can elevate their experience with the Caviar for Two (or just for you) add-on for $75, featuring a 1 oz tin of Paddlefish caviar served with blinis or gourmet potato chips, crème fraîche, and chives — perfect for sharing or savoring solo.

Vroman's Bookstore: Ry & Skyla Castles discuss & sign I Love Disneyland: 100+ Surprising Facts, Fun Quizzes, Fan-Favorite Trivia, and More about Disneyland!
2025-11-15 15:00 - 16:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Whether you’re a die-hard Disney fan or a first-time visitor, this insider guide promises to give you a deeper appreciation for the iconic amusement park.
I Love Disneyland blends fascinating trivia, fun quizzes, and key tips to help visitors of all ages make the most of their Disneyland experience. Going beyond the typical guidebook, this book uncovers must-know details about Disneyland’s history, secrets hidden throughout the park, and strategies for navigating its amazing attractions.
Each chapter is chock full of information regarding Disneyland’s nine themed lands including Main Street U.S.A, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland and the newest addition, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge which opened in 2019. Chapters highlight key rides and attractions guests won’t want to miss, fascinating trivia, must try restaurants, Park Pointers, shopping destinations, and more! I Love Disneyland is a must read for fans as the iconic park celebrates its 70th Anniversary!
“We wanted to create something that’s not just practical but also endlessly entertaining,” note authors Ry and Skyla Castles. “For anyone who loves Disney, this book is your ultimate companion to rediscover the magic at Disneyland.”
“I Love Disneyland” stands out from other titles as it features:

Trivia You’ll Love: Unearth lesser-known facts about the park’s70 year history and hidden gems.
Interactive Quizzes: Test your knowledge of all things Disneyland!
Park Navigation Tips: Learn insider tricks to avoid lines, save time, and plan your perfect day.

Whether you’re someone who loves amusement parks or a fan of Mickey Mouse, I Love Disneyland offers insight on Walt Disney’s vision to create an immersive entertainment experience for children and adults that would turn 160 acres of orange and walnut trees into the Happiest Place on Earth!
About the Authors:
Ry Castles is a marketing professional and theme park enthusiast from Southern California. He’s been visiting Disneyland since he was a small child and grew up going to Disneyland a few times a year with his family. Together with his partner Skyla, he created Sometimes Castles, an online community that shares knowledge of food, events, and theme parks—especially Disneyland! When they aren’t working on marketing plans, you’ll find them hanging out at Disneyland and California Adventure. From entertainment and special events, to tips and hidden secrets, they can help you feel like a Disney expert too! Learn more on their social media platforms at @SometimesCastles.
Skyla Castles is an influencer marketing specialist and Southern California transplant. In moving to SoCal, she discovered her love for Disney parks and wanted a creative outlet that married both her influencer marketing experience and this newly discovered passion. Together with her partner Ry, she created Sometimes Castles, an online community that shares knowledge of food, events, and theme parks—especially Disneyland!

FUMC: Third@First: Joy of Chamber Music
2025-11-15 16:00 - 17:00 | First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
LA Phil Musicians and Junko Ueno Garrett pursue a French connection with Debussy’s trio, Tansman’s cello quartet, and Faure’s quintet.

Boston Court: Kenton Chen
2025-11-15 20:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Join award-winning Vocalist and Boston Court favorite Kenton Chen on a musical journey through the decades celebrating American immigrants and their children that forms the soundtrack of our lives.

SCCM: Get to Know Your Neighbors
2025-11-17 10:30 - 11:30 | Southern California Children’s Museum, 459 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA, 91011, United States
The Southern California Children’s Museum invites families to a special morning program running November 17–21 at 10:30 AM. Diane Lang from Eaton Canyon Nature Center will introduce young learners to some of the fascinating animal neighbors that share our environment. Participants will explore where these animals live and discover surprising similarities between humans and wildlife.
This program is free with museum admission and is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.

Vroman's Bookstore: Pyet DeSpain, discusses & signs Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking
2025-11-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Next Level Chef winner Pyet De Spain celebrates her Mexican and Native American heritage in this collection of mouthwatering recipes, a vibrant fusion that ties us to the land and to one another.
Star chef Pyet DeSpain rose to prominence as the first winner of Gordon Ramsey’s Fox television show Next Level Chef. Now, in her debut cookbook, she shares the joy of cooking fueled by her burning passion for Native American and Mexican American cuisine. Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking is a tribute to her dual heritage–a gorgeously crafted celebration of the diversity of food and the stories, traditions, culture, and profound philosophies of Indigenous people that season each meal.
Pyet shows you how to incorporate a delicious range of key ingredients–from venison, dandelion greens, and wild salmon to sunchokes, bison, and native berries–into more than sixty fusion dishes. Family and friends will be excited to gather around the table to enjoy sweet and savory food such as:
Three Sisters SaladBison and Sweet Corn SoupFry BreadMexican Chocolate & Mezcal CakeCorn Silk and Honey TeaWojapi BBQ Sauce
In addition to her inventive and palate pleasing recipes, Pyet invites home cooks to honor the seasons on our beautiful Earth and connect with essential foodways. “This is more than just a cookbook,” Pyet writes. “It’s giving a voice to Indigenous people, while also highlighting the fusion of my two cultures with fire and purpose.”

Vroman's Bookstore: Jerry D. Moore discusses & signs Cat Tales: A History
2025-11-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Feared, revered, respected, and beloved, cats have left an indelible paw print on the histories and civilizations of humankind. Over the last two million years, cats and people have interacted in diverse and unexpected ways, but the predecessors of today’s furry friends were predators, not pets.
Leading anthropologist Jerry Moore charts the cat’s path from deadly enemy to improbable roommate, making use of the latest archaeological evidence to produce an original and revealing narrative. Starting with the terrifying prehistorical scimitar–tooth cat of the Pliocene age and the lion drawings of the Paleolithic Chauvet caverns, Moore journeys through our complicated history with these charismatic creatures. He travels along the Nile and across the Mediterranean, sailing on to South America, exploring pet cemeteries, cat mummies, and exquisite statuary across continents and centuries.
Illustrated throughout with photographs, artifacts, and artworks, this book surveys our relationships with cats from the Paleolithic period to the present day, unlocking the mysteries of these remarkable creatures. While cats are now beloved members of families around the world, our attempts to bring cats in from the cold have not always had happy endings, as Moore explores through such famous feline fanciers as Joe Exotic, Siegfried Fischbacher, and Roy Horn. From incredible archaeological finds to cave paintings, and from classical statues to contemporary social media, Cat Tales surveys ancient and modern interactions between humans and cats, wild and domestic, to ask a simple question: who domesticated who?

Vroman's Bookstore: Brian Schaefer, in conversation with Marc Malkin, discusses & signs Town & Country
2025-11-20 19:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
A “big-hearted and true” (Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize winner) debut novel set in a small rural town amid a congressional race that forces the candidates, their families, and a clique of gay second homeowners to confront lies, betrayals and shifting allegiances.
The trendy rural town of Griffin has become a popular destination for weekenders and the city’s second homeowners, but now a congressional race in this swing district is highlighting tensions between life-long residents and new arrivals. The campaign pits local pub owner and town supervisor Chip Riley against the wealthy young carpetbagger Paul Banks, challenging the social and political loyalties of their families and friends with lasting repercussions.
Diane Riley, Chip’s wife, is a religiously devout real estate agent who feels conflicted about selling second homes–including to Paul and his much older husband, Stan. Their elder son, Joe, is grieving the recent overdose death of his best friend and spiraling into drugs himself, while their younger son, Will, is a newly out college student seduced by the decadent lifestyle of Paul’s circle.
Meanwhile, Stan Banks uses the race to give purpose to the pain of losing a loved one to AIDS, even as he begins to doubt Paul’s readiness for office. And within their growing fraternity of city transplants, Eric Larimer finds unexpected connection with a local farmer that opens his eyes to the region’s complexity as Leon Rogers, still reeling from a divorce, becomes increasingly desperate to infiltrate the Banks’s exclusive crew.
Spanning six months from Memorial Day to Election Day, Town & Country paints a kaleidoscopic portrait of a community in flux. For readers of Fredrick Backman and Jen Beagin, this “powerful and extremely well-written book” (Colum McCann, National Book Award winner) asks the essential and timeless questions: What makes a home, and what do we owe our neighbors?

Boston Court: Just Jazz Foundation Series: Eric Revis
2025-11-20 20:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
One of the most talented and accomplished musicians of his generation, Grammy Award-winning bassist and composer Eric Revis brings his definitive sound to the Boston Court stage for the first time.

Boston Court: Zarah Mahler
2025-11-21 20:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
A captivating blend of soulful vocals, melodies, and lyrics, Zarah’s smoky sound merges elements of indie, pop, rock, and orchestral baroque with a touch of classic soul, creating a rich and textured musical landscape. Each live show is a unique and unforgettable experience.

Vroman's Bookstore: Morgan Stevenson Cooper reads from & signs I Can Make a Movie!
2025-11-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
From self-taught, award-winning director Morgan Stevenson Cooper comes a heartfelt picture book about a girl on a mission to make her first movie–and lift her grandpa’s spirits along the way.
Norah Rose loves movies–action, comedy, drama–you name it! She dreams of becoming a director, but Hollywood feels a long way from home. When her grandpa falls ill, Norah decides to make a movie just for him, because no one loves a good story more than Grandpa. Armed with her mom’s phone, a head full of ideas, and the wide-open backdrop of Kansas City, Norah sets out to write, cast, shoot, and edit her very first film. There’s a lot of work ahead, but Norah’s sure of one thing: her movie is going to shine.
With a spirited how-to approach and lively artwork by Geneva Bowers, Morgan Stevenson Cooper shows young readers how creativity, heart, and a little hustle can turn any dream into a reality.

Vino in the Village
2025-11-22 14:00 - 17:00 | CA
Swirl. Sip. Stroll.
Vino in the Village returns!
Vino in the Village invites you to enjoy a selection of wine tastings at participating local businesses while exploring Playhouse Village. Whether you’re a wine aficionado, a novice or somewhere in between, Vino in the Village is a great way to discover your neighborhood. Bring your friends, please your palate and make an evening of it!
Tickets are $30 each and include:

Commemorative glass
Wine tastings
Small bites
Special offers

Please note that a limited number of tickets are available, so grab your tickets today!

Lumee DIY: Pre-Thanksgiving Pop-Up
2025-11-23 11:00 - 13:00 | Lumee DIY, 696 E Colorado Blvd Ste 7, Pasadena, CA, United States
Lumee DIY is hosting its very first popup, made extra special as it arrives during the creator’s birthday week and the season of Thanksgiving.🦃 In the spirit of gratitude and community, 25% of all proceeds will be donated to the LA Food Bank to help provide meals for neighbors in need. To thank the community for their support, there will be blind box raffles for two lucky winners. Guests can also enjoy free Vietnamese coffee, available while supplies last.
📍 Lumee (Arcade Lane), Pasadena🗓️ November 23 | 11 AM–1 PM

Vroman's Bookstore: Local Author Day Introducing Pamela Nickel Williams and Donna R. Phillips
2025-11-23 14:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Pamela Nickel Williams presents Clearly Lies Are True
The memoir, Clearly Lies Are True, is a compelling and powerful firsthand narrative account of the childhood and sexual abuse of Pamela Nickel Williams. Written from her perspective as a young child and teenager, and told through vivid, detailed memories and experiences, Pamela’s story captures a unique period of time within the Church of Scientology.
Donna R. Phillips presents Among The Reeds & Other Stories Of The Supernatural
The veil between the living and the dead is gossamer-thin in this haunting collection of supernatural tales, where the familiar becomes strange and the strange, achingly human. From a lakeshore to a basement apartment, each story unveils a hidden world, pulsing just beneath the surface of our own.

Vroman's Bookstore: Andrew Bernstein discusses & signs Mamba & Mambacita Forever
2025-11-24 19:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
A beautiful and moving testament to the enduring life of Kobe Bryant and the Mamba Mentality.
When Kobe and Gianna Bryant died, tragically and unexpectedly, in 2020, the world mourned with a wholehearted ferocity. In perhaps the largest and most intense outpouring of public art the world has ever seen, murals went up on seemingly every available wall in Los Angeles and around the globe. The paintings were both professional and amateur, some public and some private, many of them colossal. All of them expressed love and respect for Kobe and Gianna Bryant as athletes, as a father and daughter, as heroes who will not be forgotten.
In Mamba & Mambacita Forever, Vanessa Bryant brings together the images and stories of more than a hundred murals honoring her husband and daughter. Taken together, what emerges is the story of a man who became even more than he himself could have imagined, an avatar of determination, discipline, and competitiveness. He was also a worldwide icon, one of the greatest athletes of our time, a man committed to his family and to fatherhood. Kobe was a figure of transformation and hope.
Mamba & Mambacita Forever ensures that the legacy of Kobe and Gianna Bryant will live on even after the most monumental murals themselves have all crumbled.

Archetype Yoga: Gratitude Flow
2025-11-26 12:00 - 12:45 | Archetypa Yoga, 638 e colorado ave, pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Archetype Yoga invites the community to unwind and reset at its Pre-Thanksgiving Gratitude Flow. This special class offers a grounding pause before the holiday rush, creating space to breathe, move with intention, and reflect on the people and moments that matter most.
To celebrate the season of gratitude, guests will enjoy 15% off the boutique and all class packs through the Pre-Thanksgiving weekend. It’s the perfect time to stock up on essentials or gift movement to someone you love.
Archetype Yoga’s new A Journey in Motion Gift Cards are now available both in-studio and online. With every purchase of $100 or more, guests receive one free class—a little extra movement to keep for themselves or share with someone they’re grateful for.
Step into the holiday with presence, ease, and a heart full of thanks at Archetype Yoga’s Gratitude Flow

The Mixx Pasadena: Black Celebration
2025-11-28 20:00 | The Mixx, 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
The Mixx Pasadena presents The Ultimate Black Friday Deal with no cover for its 4th Annual Black Celebration. This Black Friday, guests can experience a live tribute to Depeche Mode by Sweetest Perfection, featuring Brian Soto, along with drink and dinner specials throughout the night. DJ Jack Tames keeps the energy high with Depeche Mode, Synth Pop, and New Wave favorites, plus live music video mixes on the largest LED wall in town.

Vroman's Bookstore: Shop Local with Richard Scarry: A Special Story Time Reading in Celebration of Small Business Saturday
2025-11-29 11:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
“All the Busytown workers have worked hard to help their families and friends. I think it is about time to have a party to celebrate. Don’t you?” — Richard Scarry, What People Do All Day
Join the Vroman’s Children’s Department on November 29th at 11am for a special Small Business Saturday celebration, inspired by Richard Scarry and the Busytown books! There will be music with Ms. Marie and stories with Mr. Steve, along with activities, giveaways, and more!

Vroman’s Type-In Returns! A Holiday Celebration of Typewriters & Typewriting!
2025-11-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
An afternoon of celebrating manual typewriters awaits. A Type-in is a community-based, family-friendly gathering where typewriter enthusiasts share their love for the analog art of putting ink to paper with mechanical marvels of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can enjoy demonstrations and experience the satisfying click and clack, no plug-ins needed.

Vroman's Bookstore: An Artisan’s Holiday Market on the Vroman’s Paseo (Weather Permitting)
2025-11-30 11:00 - 16:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Join Vroman’s Bookstore for a special holiday market outside on the Vroman’s Paseo. We have a confirmed list of local crafters and artisans all set to join us for this day in celebration of Artists Sunday, supporting local artists nationwide.

Vroman's Bookstore: Holiday Music @ Vroman’s with Café Luar!
2025-11-30 13:00 | Vroman’s Stage, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, Select a Country:
Vroman’s Bookstore is celebrating the holidays with the Pasadena Conservatory of Music (PCM). Café Luar, a folk music trio, will perform as part of this partnership with the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

Vroman's Bookstore: Falon Ballard discusses & signs Something Wicked
2025-12-02 18:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
The country of Avon is in deep turmoil…
The Uprising has overthrown Avon’s monarchial rulers, and a decree has been issued. Candidates for the first presidential election will be selected by the completion of a special task: to kill the former monarch of their home province.
Callum, the son of the recently dethroned king, is determined to be in the running. But coming to terms with patricide will require the help of Lady Caterine, a Gifted courtesan at La Puissance, Avon’s premiere sex club.
Lady Caterine has always had the magical ability to manipulate the emotions of anyone who experiences an orgasm in her presence. If Callum can only open up to Cate, he will be able to commit the newly fated murder without suffering the guilt and take his place as the rightful candidate from his province. But Callum has a deep-seated mistrust of the Gifted. And the last thing he expects is to be confronted with an undeniable connection with Cate that neither of them understands or wants.
With the fate of the country at stake, Callum and Cate search for ways to bare themselves to each other, and discover a darker force building within La Puissance, one that might ruin the future of Avon forever. To stop Avon from falling to ashes, they must sacrifice everything they have . . . even if it requires betraying each other.

Landmark Theatres: Retro Replay: Gremlins (1984)
2025-12-02 19:00 | Landmark Theatre, 673 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
In the fantastical black comedy Gremlins, a father (Hoyt Axton) buys a pet “Mogwai” as a Christmas present for his son (Zach Galligan). The boy is told to keep the cute and furry pet away from water, out of the light, and never to feed it after midnight. Inadvertently, the creature is dampened and almost instantly spawns other creatures who transform into destructive, evil little monsters—which continue to multiply as they turn a small town upside-down. Also starring Phoebe Cates, Corey Feldman, Judge Reinhold and Dick Miller. Written by Chris Columbus (The Goonies) and directed by Joe Dante (The Howling, Innerspace, Small Soldiers, Explorers).

Tickets to this movie are only $5 for paid Loyalty members! (Limited time offer. Exclusions may apply.)

Music at Noon: The Riner Scivally Trio, jazz ensemble
2025-12-03 12:10 - 12:45 | Pasadena Presbyterian Church Musical Events, 585 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California, 91101
Pasadena Presbyterian Church presents Music at Noon with The Scivally Trio, jazz.

Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration!
2025-12-04 17:00 - 18:00 | Playhouse Village Park, 701 Union St, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Playhouse Village Holiday Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 4
5 pm to 6 pm
Playhouse Village Park
701 E. Union St.
FREE & ALL AGES
Experience Pasadena twinkle as we illuminate our tree to celebrate the holiday season in Playhouse Village! With live music and performances, and maybe even some snowfall, this is the perfect way to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays at Playhouse Village Park. The evening also features craft activities for children, free hot chocolate, and a snow flurry surprise!

Vroman's Bookstore: Suzanne Weerts discusses & signs Champagne Girl in a Budweiser Family: A Memoir in Stories
2025-12-04 19:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
“Suzanne Weerts’ Champagne Girl in a Budweiser Family gives us a delightful and vivid time machine to bygone days of youthful folly and wide-eyed hope, while reminding us why girls in the seventies were just as eager to leave that time behind.” -Cara Lopez Lee author of Candlelight Bridge, a 2025 Pick in Fiction in Southwest Books of the Year
“Whether unintentionally poisoning the neighborhood kids as a child, getting asked to dance last at the Spring Ball, or being attacked by a flock of birds while basking in the afterglow of breaking her chastity vow, Suzanne Weerts approaches life with a refreshing dose of charm, grace, and self-deprecating humor. If you’re looking for something to bring a smile to your face, give you a good laugh and warm your heart, you’ve found it.”
-Carlos Kotkin, author of Please God Let it Be Herpes and host of The Moth StorySLAMs
“Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, Suzanne Weerts’s stories of growing up in the 70’s south whisk you back to a simpler, golden-hued, Aquanet-scented time. Her writing is charming and evocative, and so honest and self-aware- I loved every Tab-infused page.”
-Johanna Stein, author of How Not to Calm a Child On a Plane
In a Southern town in the 1970s, the rules for girls are simple: look pretty, behave politely, and marry well. But for this rebel-in-the-making, life beyond suburban America beckons. Before she can escape, however, she’ll have to navigate extreme diets, feathered hair, and a mother who insists on hanging her bras on the clothesline in full view of the boys next door. Will she ever find a life that fits and a beverage that suits her champagne dreams?

Vroman's Bookstore: Tom Toro presents & signs And to Think We Started as a Book Club…
2025-12-05 19:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
What can Leonardo DiCaprio, Bernie Sanders, Greta Thunberg, and Elon Musk all agree on? That Tom Toro’s cartoons belong in their social media feeds. Now, with this debut collection by one of The New Yorker’s contemporary stars, everybody can enjoy the timeless witticism and thigh-slapping wisecracks of Toro’s cartoons without needing to go online.
In Tom Toro’s hilarious world, the Grim Reaper binges television while Superman shops for health insurance. The collection features original chapter art that sets the perfect tone for these brilliant cartoons and what they reveal about the absurdity of modern life, all drawn in the author’s wry and winsome style
Showcasing hundreds of Toro’s greatest hits from his fifteen-year career at the New Yorker, as well as previously unpublished cartoons that we shouldn’t shy from calling “undiscovered masterpieces,” this book is sure to delight readers—if not outright corrupt them.
